The initial 19 vehicle crash, which resulted in three fatalities, occurred within the westbound traffic lanes of the interstate.

A second two-vehicle crash occurred within the eastbound traffic lanes that involved minor injuries and a commercial vehicle.

Members of the U.S. Air Force 48th Rescue Squadron were among those providing initial care to the injured motorists. The squadron happened to be traveling through the area at the time of the blowing dust.

Following the collisions, they were able to triage and provided critical medical care to the majority of the patients on scene. Members of the squadron also coordinated the on-scene approach and departure of the three responding medical helicopters.

The crash happened just after 12 p.m. The interstate was closed until 11 p.m. At one point, there was a 10-mile backup in each direction, said the Arizona Department of Transportation.

"It's very different than what we think of during the monsoon. In this case, a steady southwest wind created channels of dense, blowing dust. Unfortunately, one of those localized channels of dust ended up over a busy Arizona interstate," Chief Meteorologist Chris Dunn said.